Wednesday, 2 July 2014

Rabbits, birds and rare wild flowers.

Rabbit numbers seem to increase daily. They tease Nella each day.......she has caught several, but is beginning to tire of the chase.

A few years ago I managed to source the Deptford Pink. Two plants from a local nursery.This plant is now very rare in the wild. It now covers only seven per cent of its historic range.It is in flower at the moment. I shall enjoy this little plant while I can. If the rabbits find it, well, the flowers will be gone but it will come back. It is slowly increasing in size, I am so thrilled with the results.

The Robins are busy feeding their young. It gives me so much pleasure to see them flitting round the garden. Such busy little birds................

I am so pleased Jo. The two plants have taken along time to settle in. I know they like dry acidic soil so it was difficult finding a place for them I am hoping they will continue to do well. Fingers crossed.

The pink is so pretty. I just love pinks. I don't know if we have a wild one. I hope yours endures the rabbits. We had a very small rabbit investigating the patio this week. It's parents usually stay in front. Annie knows how Nella feels. She sometimes doesn't chase squirrels, I think, because they are so plentiful that they just keep on coming. ha... Last year this time we had a chipmunk. It didn't stay long. They are cute but destructive. We have plenty of baby birds in the garden too. Fun time of year.

The pinks are miniature and so pretty. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I would like to have an area full of them. I am planning to divide the plants at some point.

Nella hates squirrels and chases them away from the garden. I am pleased as they raid bird nests and dig up the bulbs in the garden. They store acorns in my garden and I have little saplings popping up everywhere !!! The babies are sweet......and yes it is a fun time of year.

What a lovely shot of your pinks - so simple and effective, just like the plants. Do they have a fragrance? They would get lost in my rampant borders I'm afraid. Great shot of the Robin too - they must be worn out by the time their babies have fledged all that looking for food, and from what I've seen the babies get fatter whilst their mums get thinner.

We have a gravel drive here.....one of the pinks is in a corner of the drive along with some other wild flowers. The other one is planted under a crab apple tree. I put wood ash from the fire under the tree. I have been surprised to see it doing really well, along with self heal, fox and cubs, it looks really pretty. Like a mini meadow :)

Yes, poor birds, they do begin to look shabby towards the end of the breeding season.

The pinks are beautiful Liz. I am surprised they are still here.....hope they are a keeper.

Have tried several ferreters, not interested. The reason they give is because we are near a railway line. Have tried several other options all of which have failed. It looks like the rabbits and I are going to live alongside each other forever and a day :(

I know that the rabbits are a source of frustration for you, but your photo makes it look so adorable. It's too bad we can't plant a mini-garden for them so that they would leave everything else alone:).

Dear Rose, Frustration is not the word, they have done so much damage this year, you would not believe it. Not only have the eaten all the alliums, tulips, several salvia, foxglove to name but a few, I have latrines all over the garden and they are now digging at the conifers to get to the roots Grrrr!!!!!!! I have twisted my ankle several times this year due to the holes in the lawn :(

Hi Cheryl.... Oh my the problem I have are Deer and Chipmunks !! The deer eat some plant and the chipmunk burrows in and around my plant roots!! Little bugger are so cute but sassy and destructive grrrr!!The Pinks are lovely, so hope the rabbit's don't find it!! Very hot here and the gardens are in so much need of work, but this old body can't handle 95 degrees in the sun anymore!!

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About Me

My name is Cheryl, I live in the Kent countryside with my husband and my little terrier Nella. We moved here in 2001. For many years I have been creating a sanctuary to help wildlife. I have a passion for bees, particularly the humble bumble.
NO AWARDS PLEASE......I like to keep things simple.